Turmoil in Tunisia

The self-immolation in December of a disenfranchised university graduate is widely believed to have provided the spark for widespread protests in Tunisia. Within weeks, those protests led to the toppling of the country’s autocratic regime.

The ingredients that fueled the change in Tunisia can be found in many other countries of the Middle East and Africa - high unemployment, deplorable living standards, repressive governments, and a lack of basic freedoms. Add to this mix another element - a young population, educated, and well-connected through Facebook, Twitter and other social media - and one is left to wonder where the next spark might ignite.